Sussex Bird Report 2021

• Sussex Bird Report 2021 by Sussex Ornithological Society.
• 288 pages.
• £13 including p&p from the Sussex Ornithological Society

Published little more than 11 months after 2021 drew to a close, the latest bird report from the Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) is an impressive publication. No fewer than 288 pages long – all with easy-to-read text, charts and tables – this brilliant piece of work should serve as an example to many county or local bird reports. A huge deal of time and detailed research has evidently been invested by the SOS, with the document devoid of errors and each species account well written.

'Field birders' are clearly out in force in Sussex, with a seriously impressive number of records and contributors to surveys. Regarding the latter, no fewer than five papers can be found towards the back end of the report and all make fascinating reading: a remarkable upward revision of the county's Marsh Tit population estimate, encouraging results of the 2021 European Honey Buzzard survey, the status of Dartford Warbler in Ashdown Forest, nesting urban gulls and a report on Common Nightingales and European Turtle Doves in a Weald woodland. For the rarity enthusiast there's much to enjoy, for Sussex had a memorable 2021, with Northern Mockingbird and White-throated Sparrow among the highlights.

The number of different contributors strengthens the species accounts, with some familiar Sussex birding names among the writers. Each account is engaging and well researched, helping to place the species in question into a wider county – and regional – context. In general, the report has a professional feel and is greatly enhanced by a fine selection of photos. The images have been carefully chosen, with a nice mix of common and more unusual species, including some truly striking shots. The popular White-throated Sparrow that graced Barcombe Cross in early 2021 adorns the front cover, contributing to an eye-catching and beautifully presented publication. If I had to point out one minor gripe, however, it would be that the sparrow's tail is out of focus.

A mere £13 feels like a great price for such a fine bird report, which comes highly recommended to any birder from the South-East, or anyone who may have enjoyed one of Sussex’s many special birds in 2021.